St. Matthew

St. Matthew

Meaning of the name: Let me begin with a quote from Origen of Alexandria – Church father of III century AD: a name is a designation that sums up and describes the particular character of the one named (ACCS NT, II:41).

Matthew comes from the Hebrew word Mattityahu meaning “the gift of Yahweh.” He was truly a gift to the disciples of Jesus.

Life story.

The call – Matthew 9:9-13. Immediate response, leaving behind a very good career. And invitation of Jesus to the dinner – he wants all of his friends to meet Jesus.

There is a possibility that Matthew and James (minor) were brothers. Mark 2:14 describes a call of a tax collector name Levi, son of Alphaeus. While the list of the Twelve has James, son of Alphaeus (Matthew 10:3). But in the list of the Twelve he is paired up with Thomas. An interesting combination of two apostles, when Jesus sent them to the mission field (Mark 6:7). So, sometimes Jesus keeps brothers together – St. James and St. John, sons of Zebedee. And sometimes Jesus doesn't break the family ties but sets a new type of relationship.

Being a humble man, he wrote the Gospel (first in the canon), trying to avoid mentioning himself. We have only a call and selection of the Twelve stories. Luke adds writes a story of Jesus' Ascension (Acts 1:) listing him as of the disciples present at the event.

Yet, his Gospel is a masterpiece – based on five speeches of Jesus:

a. Historical narrative of birth and early ministry, ch. 1 – 4

I. First Discourse (5:1 – 7:28), Sermon on the Mountain

b. Historical narrative of healing and cleansings, 8:1 – 9:34

II. Second Discourse (9:35 – 11:1), Apostolic authority and martyrdom

c. Historical narrative of lordship over the creation, 11:2 – 12:45

III. Third Discourse (12:46 – 13:53), Parables of the Kingdom

c’. Historical narrative of lordship over the creation, 13:54 – 17:27

IV. Fourth Discourse (18:1 – 19:1), Rules for the Church

b’. Historical narrative of healing the social brokenness, 19:2 – 22:40

V. Fifth Discourse (22:41 – 26:1), End times

a’. Historical narrative of Arrest, Death, and Resurrection, 26:2 – 28:20

Jesus as a New and Greater Moses:

	Event	Life of Moses	Jesus in Matthew
1	Miraculous birth	Ex. 2	Mt. 1
2	Danger after being born	Ex. 2	Mt. 2
3	Commissioning to the Ministry	Ex. 3	Mt. 3
4	Teaching on the mountain	Ex. 20	Mt. 5-7
5	Establishing the Kingdom	Numbers	Mt. 13
6	Teaching on the Rules of the community	Deuteronomy	Mt. 18-19
7	Last words on the plain	Deuteronomy	Mt. 26-27
8	Last scene on the mountain	Deuteronomy	Mt. 28:16-20

As a former tax collector, he offers a very particular insight on the teaching of Jesus. I would call it a banking perspective, for example by providing the parable of the talents (25:14-30, Luke repeats after him, being a historian, Luke 19:11-27). Jesus in this parable shows an analogy between the financial responsibility and evangelism opportunities.

Traditions: Most of the early Church Fathers say that he preached the Gospel to Jewish community in Judea – makes perfect sense, for he was very well accustomed to their teaching and traditions.

His date of commemoration is September 21.

Prayer: O Son of God, our blessed Savior Jesus Christ, You called Matthew the tax collector to be an apostle and evangelist. Through his faithful and inspired witness, grant that we also may follow You, leaving behind all covetous desires and love of riches; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.